Wood Acres Elementary School - summer camps? Magnet?
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Anonymous
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Hello - we are moving to the US with our three kids, one 5 year old and twin 23M for my husbands new job. We have been living in Asia for the past 4 years but will be buying a house that is assigned to the Wood Acres Elementary School district in Maryland. My oldest boy is already anxious about the move and nervous about the new "american" school. We arrive in early August and would love to enroll him in a summer camp for that last month where he would get to meet some of his future classmates to make the transition easier. Are there any summer camp programs that are popular with the Wood Acres families? any recommendations for making school friends ahead of the new year? Where do the kids hangout in winter?
I understand I have to register him at the school. I've also read about the magnet programs (he is in something similar at his American school here)- is that a different registration process or how do I apply? The schools website isn't very helpful and neither is the county. This is very much a new adventure for us! So if you can provide any insight as to how to get to know some local families and help my little one adapt to this big move I would be so grateful! Happy to trade for Tokyo tips 
Thank you! |
Anonymous
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So, he's a rising 1st grader or kindergartner?
Either way, there is no magnet option until 4th grade. Unless you mean language immersion? |
Anonymous
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Bar-T is the organization that does before/after-care at Wood Acres, and they run a summer day camp at the school. Might be a good option for getting familiar with the school building and some classmates.
https://www.bar-t.com/ |
Anonymous
Although it looks like the camp at Wood Acres only runs through August 7, which might be too early for you. |
Anonymous
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Hello - Thank you for the info re Bar-T! Yes, August 7th is too early. We understand school starts on August 31st. so we are looking for the two weeks prior to start. For the after-school, do lots of kids attend?
And good to know about the magnet eligibility! Im honestly happy i dont have to worry about it for another few years. If anyone local to wood acres has any insight regarding kids activities or hubs for meeting other people that would be so appreciated! We dont have a single local friend or connection other than my husband's HR contact and would appreciate any guidance! |
Anonymous
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Welcome to the community, OP!
I think your son will find the school to be very welcoming, and every year (in every grade) there are new students, so he won't be alone in that regard. As for summer camps, the most intensive weeks for camp tend to be in June and July, and many options peter out in August as more people go away on vacation. Also, there is no "one" place where Wood Acres kids go to camp, so you're likely to encounter kids from many different schools at any summer camp your child attends. There are some tennis camps at the private Landon School that run deep into August, which may attract a few Wood Acres kids. https://www.landonsummer.com/page.cfm?p=4747 Many Wood Acres families also go to Mohican Pool, but it is a private swim club where you have to be a member (or guest of a member) to go. After you move in, consider getting on the wait list for the pool, as you'll want to have to option of going in future summers. https://www.mohicanpool.org/membership/membership-information/ A great play to meet other families and young children is Wood Acres Park, which is just behind the elementary school. It's the largest piece of open space in the area, with ballfields and playgrounds. Worth checking out. It will all be fine, and your son will find friends quickly. Good luck with the move and settling in! |
Anonymous
| Some pools will offer August-only “trial memberships” because so many people are on vacation. If you get yourself on the waitlist you might ask about that. We are not at that school, but I was thinking neighborhood pool would be the best place to meet neighborhood kids in August. |
Anonymous
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Mohican offers late summer pool membership. That's a great way to meet people. +1 on Wood Acres Park
Is your 5 year old K or 1st? There will be K playdates during the summer. Find out about getting added to the school list serve so you get the info. There may also be some summer nights with star gazing with the Planetarium team. |
Anonymous
Where are you originally from, OP? You aren't Japanese, are you? |
Anonymous
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OP if you don't find a spot at Mohican look at Merrimack Pool, which has a number of Wood Acres families. For summer camps nearby look at Landon, Holton Arms Creative Summer, Glen Echo Park and Adventure Theater.
You can try to make friends before the school year starts but if it doesn't happen, roll with it. Public school in MCPS comes with less handholding and intimacy than an American school overseas. Many families make the same transition you will be making and it works out. To your question about Bar-T aftercare, yes the registration fills up. Other families use Wonders. Also to get a feel for the school community look at the Wood Acres ES PTA website. |
Anonymous
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Glen Echo also has camps.
Wood Acres has a lot of international families, including many from Asia. My 1st grade daughter has had students who moved to the US from Japan and China (and non-Asian countries) right before school. I would register your kid for school and I would ask them if there are particular resources. https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/woodacreses/ Otherwise, I agree to hang out at a Wood Acres playground and you will meet people. |